A new company, Shell Libya Petroleum Development BV, was created this summer with the intention of increasing Shell's involvement in Libya's oil and gas sector. The company has Tony Wildig, Shell's senior vice-president, Middle East Business Development, and Joep Coppes as managing directors.

Joep Coppes explains the rationale behind Libya being grouped in the Middle East, and Shell's background and objectives in the country: "While Libya is geographically part of the African continent and it has very good relations with the African states, Libya is an Arab and Islamic state. Thus, we feel it important to align our efforts in Libya with our wider business interests in the Middle East."

He explains: "Shell activities in Libya began in the mid-1950s in the E&P business. Agreements between Shell and Libya allowed over 50 exploration wells to be drilled in the country. Shell also developed substantial marketing activities, and the Libyan Arabic expression for 'going to Shell' means filling up.

"Shell is currently discussing new E&P activities with the National Oil Corporation of Libya to explore how Shell can contribute to Libya's oil and gas industry -which is why a dedicated company was created in June to support these initiatives.

"While Shell companies are currently not involved in any E&P activities in Libya, Shell is interested in future opportunities in Libya as the country is a major resource holder of both oil and gas. Following an invitation from the Libyan authorities, Shell E&P will be represented, amongst other international oil companies, to discuss the future of the country's E&P business," he says.

Earlier this year, Shell participated in an exhibition titled 'Britain and Libya -Partnership for Progress' in Tripoli. The chairman of the Libyan National Oil Company (NOC), Abdullah El Badri, was one of over 8,000 visitors to attend the event. The exhibition, the first British exhibition in Libya since the late 1960s, was supported by the Libyan Chamber of Commerce and British Trade International.

Coppes says: "The exhibition was a great success and played a valuable role in enabling British and Libyan companies to learn about each other. We hope to build upon the relationships formed and enhanced at the event and to develop them further in coming months."